Her Kinsman-Redeemer

by Darlene Tallman

  “Momma?” Cailyn asked.

  “Yes, sweetpea?”

  “Playhouse now?”

  “Use your manners.”

  “Please can we play in the playhouse, Momma?” she finally asked.

  “Yes, my sweet girls. Let’s go get cleaned up and go potty then you can go outside and play. And…Momma has a surprise for you.”

  “A ‘prise, Momma?” Melora asked.

  “Yes, my Mellie-belly girl. A surprise.”

  With minimal fanfare, they got the girls cleaned up and headed out to the playhouse. She saw that the guys had brought several of the deck chairs down in the shade and was grateful because with her fair skin, she didn’t tan, she burned. Turning, she went to the freezer and pulled out three popsicles, then went out the front door and found Thad still cutting grass. She motioned for him to stop and said, “Here’s your ‘prise, Thad.”

  He looked at her in shock and said, “What?”

  “Well, I got these as a surprise for the girls. I really try to limit their sweets, but it’s getting hot now and they were so good this morning at the grocery store and the farmer’s market. You’ve been great getting this taken care of for me. I’m sure you had something else you could have been doing with your friends or even your girlfriend.”

  “I…I don’t have one of those. There’s a girl and I want to ask her out but I’m not sure how,” he confessed.

  “Well, do you talk to her at all?”

  “Yeah, we have a few classes together and she’s on the cross-country team.”

  “Okay, any dances coming up?”

  “There’s the spring fling formal coming up in three weeks.”

  “Hmm, okay, well, why don’t you ask her out for dinner and a movie and then if it goes well, ask her to that dance.”

  “You make it sound so easy!”

  “Honey, nothing worth having is really easy, but if you two already have some things in common, then you have half the battle taken care of, right? Do you ever text or talk to her on the phone?”

  “Yeah and sometimes we message on Facebook.”

  “Okay, so listen, Tally is keeping the girls tonight and I trust you won’t do anything you shouldn’t. Why don’t you call and invite her over to hang out with you guys? I’ve got the movie channels and popcorn and stuff. And if her parents are worried, I’ll see if maybe a prospect or someone can come over as well.”

  “You…you’d do that? For me?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart. You’re a good kid. Just let me know, okay?”

  “Thanks, Angelina. I appreciate it, I’m going to call her now,” he said, finally taking the popsicle.

  She turned away and went to go back up on the porch and saw Zeke standing there, a sheen in his eyes. “Zeke? Are you…are you okay?” she asked.

  “Never been better, Cherub. Never been better,” he said, pulling her in for a hug. “Thank you for what you just did for him.”

  “I…I know I’m not his mother, but if…if what I think is happening with us is happening, he’s going to be around and well, I know what it’s like not to be included and to feel left out and I won’t ever let him think he’s not as important just because I didn’t give birth to him. I’m probably closer to being an older sister if you want the truth, but that’s okay. Just please, let me know if I ever overstep because that’s not my intention.”

  He kissed her gently. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of kissing her and thanked God once again that she came into his life. “I will, Cherub, but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. Now come on, we’re going to watch the girls play and you are going to go and lay down for a bit.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes, you need to be rested for our date. We’ve got some dancing to do, Cherub.”

  She smiled up at him and took his hand as they went into the house. Seeing her girls, she laughed as she said, “I’ve apparently been sent to my room. I guess I’ll see you guys at the clubhouse. Thank you for taking care of the girls, yeah?”

  “Anytime, babe,” Debbie said.

  “Sweetie, go rest. We’ve got drinking and dancing to do tonight and we’re gonna show these ‘Yankees’ how us South Georgia girls do it!” Renda said, laughing.

  “All right, I’m going,” Angelina finally said.

  Zeke walked her to her room and closing the door, he pulled her into his arms. “Cherub, you feel so right here in my arms. I’m not questioning this any longer.”

  “Um, okay…” she said slowly.

  Leaning down, he kissed her. All thought fled from her mind as he molded her to his body and she felt the strength that flowed from him to her. She knew he wanted her and she knew that she could push the issue, but instinctively realized that it wasn’t what she needed to do right now. So, she let him possess her mouth. Even in the passionate embrace, she still felt cherished. And it was a feeling that she prayed she would have for as long as she drew breath.

  Finally breaking the embrace, he softly said, “Go on now, Cherub, and lay down, yeah? I’ll see you at five thirty.”

  “Mmm…okay, Zeke.”

  He left her standing in her room, dazed from his kisses with desire flowing through her body. She had never felt like this before she thought as she slipped her shoes off and grabbed a throw before she climbed onto her bed. Just before she fell asleep, she set her alarm so she would have plenty of time to get ready. Tally was going to be there at five and Zeke was going to be there at five thirty. She shivered in anticipation as she drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  “You’re going to be her kinsman-redeemer, aren’t you?” Dex asked as Zeke came out on the deck. The women were down by the playhouse watching the girls and Thad had joined in and the two little girls, after finding out he had gotten a ‘prise too, had declared he was their driver and the postman. From the look of things, he was having a good day, even though his companions were a bunch of adults and two three-year old twins.

  Zeke looked at his fellow President and weighed what he wanted to say carefully. “I know the story, Brother, and I guess, in a sense that I will be that for her. But you’ve got to know that wasn’t ever my intention, yeah? There’s just something about her and while I have no clue where God is taking all of this, I’m praying constantly because that woman in there deserves only the best. I know I don’t know it all and I’ve told her she can tell me or not, it won’t matter, but from the way she broke down, I’m guessing things weren’t all sunshine and roses with Laser.”

  “No, Brother, they weren’t,” Pongo said. “She put on a brave front around everyone, but we all have ears and we heard how he berated her behind closed doors. Even though he was a believer, I don’t think he ever let Him fully heal him of his past. It was ugly and left nasty scars and unfortunately, even though he loved her in his own way, she took it all.”

  “I’m kind of surprised it took her so long to finally break down,” Dex said. “We’ve been waiting for it for a long time, but it’s like she blocked it all out and focused on the good, what little there was. And even though it’s not our story to tell, Brother, you need to know what you’re dealing with, okay? He cheated on her. Repeatedly. Sometimes, right in front of her at club parties. I know we don’t have the club girls like a lot of clubs, but Brothers bring dates in and they bring their friends and he often availed himself of those friends. Not out in the open, of course, you know that we don’t allow that shit, but she knew. And that woman sleeping inside? Never complained. Not once. She kept on loving him despite his actions. And I’m telling you now, Brother, his actions hurt her, but that is her story to tell.”

  Zeke merely nodded. He had a lot to think about and pray over. Giving man hugs, he let them know he’d be back to pick her up at five thirty and headed home. Well, technically the clubhouse. Thad had a room right next to his and while it wasn’t ideal, it had worked for a long time. Only now, it wasn’t working any more.

  ***

  She woke up refreshed from her nap, the crying
jag feeling like a distant memory. Thinking about the whole episode, she realized that in many ways she no longer had that heavy feeling that she had carried for more years than she knew. And, it dawned on her that Zeke had been right, the tears were cleansing and with them, she had released things she hadn’t realized she had been carrying around. As that thought crossed her mind, another came wafting in-You were not responsible for his actions, my Daughter-and she realized that He had spoken to the very core of her soul.

  Getting up and going to her closet, she searched to find the shirt she was thinking of and when she found it she pulled it out and looked at it critically. Not trusting herself to something so important, at least to her, she went in search of Renda and Debbie. Seeing her come out on the back deck, they left their spots by the playhouse and came up to see what was going on.

  “Can you two keep an eye on the girls for a bit?” Angelina asked Dex and Pongo.

  “Sure, Angel, you girls go get all gussied up,” Dex said.

  She rolled her eyes at him as she went back in the house. Following her back to her bedroom, Renda and Debbie stopped short when they saw the chaos. She had pulled out at least a dozen shirts and they were tossed on the bed. “I need help,” Angelina told her two friends. “This is my first-ever date and I want to look nice.”

  Their hearts broke hearing that but neither let what they were feeling show on their faces. She needed them and that’s what a girl posse did-they helped one another.

  Going over to the pile, Renda looked at each shirt and finally pulled one out that was a deep raspberry color with flowing sleeves that ended a little below the elbow. It was light and airy, with a flouncy bottom. “I like this one best, sweetie. It will bring out your pretty green eyes. And I like the brown boots better.”

  “I agree. Now jump in the shower and get cleaned up so I can fix your hair,” Debbie said.

  “Okay, okay! I forgot how bossy you two were,” Angelina said, teasing her two friends.

  “Yeah, whatever. We miss you too, you know!”

  ***

  Angelina looked at herself in the mirror with a critical eye; the outfit was perfect, her make-up done lightly and what Debbie had done with her hair was nothing short of masterful. Long, fat curls bounced along her back, and she had pulled a few pieces back in what she called a faux French braid, saying it helped make her eyes pop. She spritzed on a little bit of her favorite cologne and took a deep breath. I can do this she thought. I already know him; we get along well and have a lot in common. This is just taking all of that to the next level. As she was headed down the hall to find the rest of them, the doorbell rang and she changed directions to answer it.

  “Hi, Tally, come on in,” she said to the teenager. “I’m so glad you were able to babysit for me and I promise, I won’t give you such short notice next time, okay?”

  “It’s not a problem, Miss Angelina. My mom said that Thad and maybe Amelia might be here tonight too?”

  “Ah yeah, about that. You’ll be the one in charge of the girls, but apparently, Thad likes Amelia and I thought it would be a good first non-date before he asks her to y’alls spring fling formal.”

  “Oh! She’s one of my closest friends and has been hoping he would ask her!”

  “Well, you didn’t hear it from me. I think one of the prospects is going to be here as well to offer her parents some comfort that a bunch of teens aren’t here by themselves.”

  “That’s fine. You look really pretty tonight.”

  “Thanks, sweetie. I had my two besties here to help me out. C’mon, I think Dex and Pongo need rescuing and that will give me a chance to help you get the girls inside so they can eat.”

  “Okay, lead me to them!”

  Out in the backyard, she looked at the playhouse and sure enough, the two little girls were still playing. “Melora! Cailyn! Time to come in now, girls,” she called out.

  “Okay, Momma!” they said, almost simultaneously.

  They came running up the back steps, jabbering a mile a minute and stopped when they saw Tally. “Girls, do you remember Tally? She came with Miss Eva the other night and she’s going to be watching you two tonight while Momma goes out. Thad and Amelia are coming over as well, but Tally is the one in charge of you two, do you understand?”

  Wide-eyed, they both nodded at her. “Can we watch a movie, Momma?” Melora asked.

  “I’m sure you can, but not until after you have eaten dinner and taken your baths. You’ve both been playing hard outside today and need one, okay?”

  “Okay, Momma,” Cailyn said.

  “Now, come on you two and let’s at least get your hands and faces washed before you eat.”

  “Tally? There are plenty of leftovers, but if you want me to, I can place an order for pizza because I’m pretty sure we demolished the ones we had at lunch.”

  “I’m sure whatever you have left is fine, Miss Angelina. Now, c’mon girls, let’s go and get clean!” she said as she led the two little girls down the hallway to their bathroom.

  Feeling a little bereft, she went into the house and stopped short. Standing there just watching her was Zeke. “Hey,” she said softly.

  He walked closer never taking his eyes off her until he was standing directly in front of her. Running his thumb in a caress down the side of her face, he leaned down and kissed her lips before saying, “Hey yourself, Cherub. You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you. Did…did Thad come with you?”

  “No, I have the prospect taking him over to get Amelia. Thank you for doing this for him. He has been walking on air all afternoon.”

  She giggled at the image before saying, “I’m happy to do so. Oh, and apparently Tally and Amelia are good friends and she said that Amelia has been hoping that Thad would ask her to that dance, so I think it’s a pretty sure thing.”

  He shook his head as he smiled down at her. “I think he plans to tonight. We’ll see, right?”

  “Yes, we will. Uh, what is that?” she asked as she looked at the kitchen table where a gorgeous bouquet of flowers sat.

  “For you, Cherub. Wasn’t sure what your favorite flower was so I had a mixed bouquet created.”

  “They…they’re beautiful, Zeke. Thank you!” she said, turning to give him a quick hug.

  I could get used to her in my arms he thought as he placed a quick kiss on her forehead. “You ready to go?”

  “Yes, let me just give the girls a kiss goodnight and tell Tally we’re leaving, okay?”

  “Okay, Cherub. I’ll wait for you right here,” he said.

  She went into the girls’ room and saw that they were busy showing Tally their things, including their beloved Cabbage Patch dolls. “Girls? Momma is going to be going now. Come give me kisses, okay?”

  They ran over to where she was crouched and she wrapped her arms around them, hugging them tightly as she kissed them and said, “Now, you remember to behave for Tally, okay? Mind your manners and when she tells you it’s bedtime, you need to go and not argue. I love you my babies, so much, and I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

  “Love you, Momma,” Cailyn said softly.

  “I love you, Momma,” Melora said. “You look pretty Momma.”

  “Thank you, Mellie.”

  “Tally? If you have any questions or problems, don’t feel bad about calling or texting me, okay?”

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine, Miss Angelina.”

  ***

  “You ready?” she asked Zeke as she came back down the hall.

  “Yeah, Cherub. You got everything?”

  “Just want to grab my phone. I told Tally she could call or text if she had any problems.”

  He waited as she got the phone then led her out to his truck, where he helped her up. When he came around to the driver’s side and got in, he looked at her and said, “Really liked it when you sat next to me earlier, Cherub.”

  She smiled at him as she slid over into the middle. “Is this better?”

  “Absolutely,” he told h
er. “Because I can do this,” he whispered as he leaned in and kissed her. He then sat back and grinned at the bemused look on her face.

  On the way to the clubhouse, he told her about the family run they would be doing that summer-they were going up to Maggie Valley in Cherokee. “We all go, Cherub. The businesses shut down for the week and our customers are used to us doing this from time to time as we give plenty of notice. You might get a little bit busier before we go, but you’ll have a week of no spreadsheets, so it will be a good trade-off.”

  “That sounds like fun. The kids go too?”

  “Everyone, Cherub. We have a few vehicles that go to haul the kids, but most of the Brothers and old ladies ride.”

  “Okay, well, I can drive one of the vehicles since I have the girls,” she said.

  Not if he had anything to say about it he thought. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Arriving at the clubhouse, she was surprised to see how many people were around. “Everyone tries to make these, Cherub. You ready to go in?”

  “Yeah.”

  He helped her out of the truck then captured her hand in his and walked toward the doors. Walking through, he fielded man-hugs and backslaps from his Brothers as he headed toward the table where Preacher, Dex, Pongo and their old ladies were sitting. “Hey y’all,” Eva said. “Did Tally get there on time?”

  “She did and when we left, the girls were busy showing her every little thing they owned,” Angelina said, laughing.

  “What’s on the menu tonight, Brother?” Dex asked.

  “Thinking it’s barbeque but don’t quote me. Preacher put the order in,” Zeke said as he sat down next to Angelina.

  “Which means that Eva put the order in,” Eva said, laughing. “And yes, we’re having barbeque tonight.”

  “Woman, you wound me,” Preacher said, clutching at his heart. Eva laughed and leaned over to give him a loud, noisy kiss.